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Bill would allow Idaho cities to issue property tax rebates

A small, single-story blue house in the North End of Boise with a "sale pending" sign outside.
John Sowell
/
Idaho Statesman
This house at North 25th Street and West Regan Avenue is under contract to sell after only a few days on the market, listed at $399,000. Home sales in Ada County have not dipped as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A new bill introduced to the legislature Monday would allow Idaho cities to issue property tax refunds.

The measure is co-sponsored by House Majority Leader Mike Moyle (R-Star) and Rep. John Gannon (D-Boise), who brought it before the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Gannon said the bill allows cities to rebate property taxes by passing an ordinance.

“In other words, a city can do with property taxes what the state is doing with income and sales taxes this year," Gannon said.

The bill says a property can’t get more tax relief than the amount it’s paying in taxes. It would allow cities access to a list of properties getting a circuit breaker tax reduction to avoid overpayment, or to target those in the most need of relief.

Cities could have extra property tax money when there's been an influx of funds from the federal government or other local sources, Gannon said.

“For example, when the City of Boise received title to an expiring urban renewal district, there was $4 million in the district’s fund, which the city got," he said.

The lawmakers also plan to introduce similar legislation to give this power to counties.

Find reporter Rachel Cohen on Twitter @racheld_cohen

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As the south-central Idaho reporter, I cover the Magic and Wood River valleys. I also enjoy writing about issues related to health and the environment.

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